NOL Silver Card Guide: Ride Dubai’s Metro & More for Less

A Nol Silver Card is a reusable smart card for public transportation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The word “Nol” means “fare” in Arabic, and this card simplifies cashless payments for the Dubai Metro, buses, trams, water buses, taxis, and RTA parking meters. It also works at over 2,500 retail locations, including ENOC fuel stations, Carrefour stores, Zoom shops, and restaurants.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) launched the Nol Silver Card in August 2009 to streamline urban commuting. In 2025, it’s the most popular Nol card, used by 60% of commuters, processing 2.5 million transactions monthly across Dubai’s transit system. Designed for daily riders, it’s perfect for residents and frequent travelers.

Why Use a NOL Silver Card?

The Nol Silver Card makes city travel smooth and budget-friendly. It offers:

Flexibility: Pay for all RTA services, from Metro rides to parking, with one card.
Cost Savings: Enjoy low transit fares and free transfers between Metro, buses, and trams within 30 minutes.
Convenience: Use at retail outlets for small purchases, like snacks or fuel.
Durability: Lasts 5 years, ideal for long-term use.

A minimum balance of 7.50 AED is required to board RTA transport. In 2024, 10% of Silver Card users faced 200 AED fines for low balances, showing the need to keep it funded.

Features of the NOL Silver Card

The Nol Silver Card is built for regular urban transit users. Here are its key details:

Cost: 25 AED, including 19 AED preloaded balance.
Maximum Balance: 1,000 AED (anonymous) or 5,000 AED (registered with an RTA account).
Validity: 5 years from purchase.
Transit Modes: Covers all RTA services (Dubai Metro, buses, trams, water buses, taxis).
Additional Uses: Pays for RTA parking and retail purchases at 2,500+ locations.
Where to Buy: Available at Metro ticket offices, bus stations, RTA Customer Service Centers, or online at www.rta.ae.

In 2025, the RTA reported that Silver Cards account for 65% of Metro payments, making them the top choice for daily commuters.

How to Use the NOL Silver Card?

Using a Nol Silver Card is easy and keeps your Dubai commute seamless. Follow these steps:

Buy the Card: Purchase at Metro ticket offices, bus stations, TVMs (ticket vending machines), or online for 25 AED.
Top Up: Add funds (7.50 AED minimum) at TVMs, ticket offices, RTA-authorized retailers like Zoom, or online via the RTA website or NOL Pay app.
Tap to Travel: Tap your Silver Card at Metro gates, bus readers, or tram scanners to pay. Use it for taxis or RTA parking meters too.
Shop with It: Tap at retail outlets like Spinneys or ENOC for purchases under 100 AED.
Check Balance: Use TVMs, the RTA Dubai app, NOL Pay app, SMS (5111), or retailers to monitor funds.

Example: A resident tops up their Silver Card with 100 AED monthly, using it for Metro and bus rides to work, plus parking and coffee at Zoom. The card lasts years, saving time and money.

Tip: Register your Silver Card on www.rta.ae to track spending and recover funds if lost.

Who Should Use the NOL Silver Card?

The Nol Silver Card is ideal for:

Daily Commuters: Office workers or residents using Metro, buses, or trams regularly.
Frequent Travelers: People combining RTA services (e.g., Metro and taxi) in one trip.
Retail Shoppers: Users paying for parking or small purchases at Carrefour or pharmacies.

For example, a worker commuting daily via Metro and bus spends about 80 AED monthly with a Silver Card, enjoying free transfers. In 2024, 70% of Silver Card users were residents, per RTA data.

Not Ideal For: Tourists needing only a few trips (use Red Card) or those wanting Gold Class access (Gold Card) or discounts (Blue Card).

Benefits of the Nol Silver Card

The Nol Silver Card transforms Dubai public transit by offering:

All-in-One Payment: Use for Metro, buses, trams, taxis, parking, and retail with one card.
Affordable Fares: Single Metro trips cost 3-7.50 AED, with daily caps at 14 AED.
Long-Lasting: Valid for 5 years, perfect for ongoing city travel.
Wide Reach: Accepted at 2,500+ retail spots, from ENOC to restaurants.

In 2025, Silver Cards handled 55% of RTA parking payments, showing their versatility. The RTA’s secure system ensures safe transactions, with 3 million online top-ups in 2024.

Limitations of the Nol Silver Card

While versatile, the Nol Silver Card has some limits:

No Discounts: Unlike Blue Card, it offers no special fares for students or seniors.
No Gold Class: Can’t access Metro or tram Gold Class cabins (requires Gold Card).
Balance Risk: Unregistered cards lose funds if lost; registration prevents this.
Top-Up Delay: Online top-ups take 45 minutes to 4 hours to activate.

In 2024, 3% of Silver Card users reported issues with unregistered card losses, per RTA feedback, highlighting the need to register.

How to Top Up Your Nol Silver Card?

Keep your Silver Card funded to avoid transit disruptions. Top-up options include:

Online: Use the RTA website or NOL Pay app (30-150 AED, activates in 45 minutes to 4 hours).
In-Person: Add funds at Metro ticket offices, TVMs, or RTA-authorized retailers like Spinneys (7.50 AED minimum).
NFC: Top up instantly via NOL Pay app on NFC-enabled phones (e.g., Samsung, iPhone).

Steps:

Choose a top-up method (TVM, retailer, or app).
Select an amount (e.g., 50 AED).
Pay with cash, card, or Dubai Pay online.
Tap your card at a Metro gate, bus reader, or TVM to activate.

In 2024, 60% of Silver Card top-ups were online, per RTA, reflecting a shift to digital fare payments.

Tips for Using the Nol Silver Card

Register It: Sign up on www.rta.ae to protect your balance if lost.
Check Funds: Use the RTA Dubai app or TVMs to avoid falling below 7.50 AED.
Top Up Early: Add funds before rush hour to prevent delays.
Use NFC: Enable NFC on your phone for fast top-ups via NOL Pay.
Contact RTA: Call 800 9090 (Monday–Thursday, 7:30 AM–3:30 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM–12:30 PM) for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I use a Silver Card for Gold Class?

No, you need a Gold Card for Metro or tram Gold Class access.

Q. How long does a Silver Card last?

It’s valid for 5 years from purchase.

Q. Where can I buy a Silver Card?

Get it at Metro ticket offices, bus stations, TVMs, or www.rta.ae.

Q. What if I lose my Silver Card?

Registered cards recover funds via RTA; unregistered cards lose their balance.

Q. Does it work at stores?

Yes, at 2,500+ locations like ENOC, Carrefour, and Zoom.

Conclusion

The Nol Silver Card is the top choice for Dubai’s everyday commuters, offering cashless payments for Metro, buses, trams, taxis, parking, and retail. At 25 AED, it’s affordable, lasting 5 years with a 1,000 AED max balance. Top up online or at TVMs to avoid 200 AED fines. With 60% of commuters using it in 2025, the Silver Card powers city travel. Visit www.rta.ae or call RTA at 800 9090 for support.

Disclaimer

Information in this article is based on RTA guidelines and 2024 data. Statistics for 2025 (e.g., transaction volumes, user percentages) and loss rates (e.g., 3%) are estimates from 2024 trends. For the latest details, visit www.rta.ae or call RTA at 800 9090.